A nanotherapeutic supported by a hierarchical silica composite with dual imaging capability (e.g. fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging), a method of preparing the nanotherapeutic, and a method of treating cancer. Also disclosed is a method of oxidatively dehydrogenating ethane using a catalytic system supported by a hierarchical silica composite.

A nanotherapeutic supported by a hierarchical silica composite with dual imaging capability (e.g. fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging), a method of preparing the nanotherapeutic, and a method of treating cancer. Also disclosed is a method of oxidatively dehydrogenating ethane using a catalytic system supported by a hierarchical silica composite.

A method of preparing hydrodesulfurization catalysts having cobalt and molybdenum sulfide deposited on a support material containing mesoporous silica. The method utilizes a sulfur-containing silane that dually functions as a silica source and a sulfur precursor. The method involves an one-pot strategy for hydrothermal treatment and a single-step calcination and sulfidation procedure. The application of the hydrodesulfurization catalysts in treating a hydrocarbon feedstock containing sulfur compounds to produce a desulfurized hydrocarbon stream is also specified.

A heterogeneous catalyst composition for para-hydrogen induced polarization includes ligand-capped nanoparticles dispersed in water. The ligand-capped nanoparticles include metal nanoparticles that are surface functionalized with organic ligands, a molecular weight of the organic ligands is no greater than 300 g/mol, and the organic ligands each includes multiple binding moieties as coordinates sites for binding to a nanoparticle surface.

A robust catalyst useful for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of sulfur-containing hydrocarbons such as sulfur-containing diesel fuel. The catalyst contains a modified mesoporous silica, such as SBA-15, Zr atoms, Ni, Mo, Ce atoms. A method for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon, such as diesel fuel or a refinery feedstock using the catalyst. A one-pot method for making the catalyst.

An efficient catalyst for the synthesis of methanol by catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide is provided. A process for the preparation of the catalyst by self-combustion of a gel and a process for the synthesis of methanol by catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide are also presented. The catalyst has the following formula (Cu)x(ZnO)y(ZrO2)z supported on mesoporous silica.

A robust catalyst useful for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) of sulfur-containing hydrocarbons such as sulfur-containing diesel fuel. The catalyst contains a modified mesoporous silica, such as SBA-15, Zr atoms, Ni, Mo, Ce atoms. A method for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon, such as diesel fuel or a refinery feedstock using the catalyst. A one-pot method for making the catalyst.

A heterogeneous catalyst composition for para-hydrogen induced polarization includes ligand-capped nanoparticles dispersed in water. The ligand-capped nanoparticles include metal nanoparticles that are surface functionalized with organic ligands, a molecular weight of the organic ligands is no greater than 300 g/mol, and the organic ligands each includes multiple binding moieties as coordinates sites for binding to a nanoparticle surface.

Disclosed is a method for preparing a synthesis gas. The method may include performing a combined reforming reaction by injecting a reaction gas including water (H.sub.2O) and heat-treating it in the presence of the catalyst. The catalyst may include a mesoporous support including regularly distributed mesopores, metal nanoparticles supported on the support, and a metal oxide coating layer coated on a surface of the support.

An anionic surfactant of general formula (I) in which n and m are, independently of one another, numbers from 0 to 17 and 2<n+m<20, and X.sup.+ is a charge-balancing cation. The invention also relates to a production method by way of: the acid-catalysed reaction of 2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl) tetrahydrofuran with an alkene having 5 to 22 C atoms in equimolar amounts, at an increased temperature; subsequent sulphation with a sulphating agent; and optional neutralisation by a subsequent reaction with

##STR00001##

X.sup.+OH.sup.− or X.sup.+.sub.2CO.sup.2−.sub.3, where X.sup.+ is an alkali metal cation or a group N.sup.+R.sup.1R.sup.2R.sup.3, in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are, independently of one another, hydrogen, an alkyl group with 1 to 6 C atoms, or a hydroxyalkyl group with 2 to 6 C atoms. Detergents or cleaning agents containing the surfactant, and the use of same to improve the performance of the detergents or cleaning agents, are also disclosed.